National League Previews

Shelbourne v Sligo Rovers (7.45)

Sligo's season has now been reduced to a desperate battle to avoid relegation and Nicky Reid admits that after the disappointment of going out of the cup on Tuesday night they could have done with a little more time to pull themselves together before hopping on the bus again and heading for Tolka Park.

Still, Reid remains fairly upbeat about the situation, pointing out that there are still half a dozen teams under threat of finishing 10th or worse and feeling that his side have the capacity to play their way out of trouble over the weeks ahead.

Reid, of course, won't be able to play before the summer himself and Jim Sheridan is out of this evening's game due to a back problem but there is some hope that Ian Lynch and Steve Birks will return from injury and if they do then the expectation is that both will go straight into the side.

Shelbourne, meanwhile, will almost certainly be unchanged unless Richie Baker fails to recover from a delayed reaction to a knock he received in Belfast last week. The teenager was limping a bit in training this week and there is a chance he'll have to be rested tonight but Dermot Keely reckons he'll make it leaving only Mick Neville sidelined by injury.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Shelbourne 3 Sligo Rovers 0, Sligo Rovers 1 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 2 Sligo Rovers 0; 98/99: Shelbourne 1 Sligo Rovers 1, Sligo Rovers 1 Shelbourne 3.

Recent league form: Shelbourne: DWWWW; Sligo Rovers: DLWDW.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Sheridan (10); Sligo Rovers: Hallows (seven).

Betting: Home: 1/2, Draw: 12/5, Away: 11/2.

Waterford Utd v Shamrock Rovers (7.45)

IT JUST seems to go from bad to worse for Waterford who have given plenty of decent teams trouble this season but who have rarely been able to capitalise when it comes to putting the scoring chances away.

A top scorer on three at this stage of the season is a pretty good indication that there is a problem up front and it is clearly a situation that is going to have to be overcome in the next few weeks if United are to dig themselves out of their current predicament.

Alan Reynolds is still out for the visit of Shamrock Rovers while Derek McGrath has a slight hamstring problem and might miss the chance to face his old club.

Rovers, meanwhile, have more casualties than a TV soap just now with Brendan Markey the latest worry after he picked up a knee ligament injury last weekend. Tony Cousins also limped out of the win against Derry with an ankle injury but Cousins, it seems, doesn't actually miss games these days, and so he will doubtless stage his usual recovery. Paul Whelan is back from suspension but expect to see some youngsters involved again.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: Waterford United 1 Rovers 1, Rovers 0 Waterford United 0.

Recent league form: United: DLLDL; Rovers: DLDDW.

Leading scorers: United: Gannon (three); Rovers: Sherlock and Kenny (seven apiece).

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/4.

First Division

Both of the leaders are in action this evening with Drogheda taking on an Athlone side not renowned for their abilities on the road while Galway take on a Limerick side who are now looking for their first win in three months.

Martin Lawlor must cope without Martin Beggs, James Impey and Darren O'Keeffe for his side's game with the three all ruled out by suspension but Greg O'Dowd is back after serving a ban. Mark Revins and Gareth Byrne, meanwhile, are available due to the fact that their club have insisted on their suspensions, imposed after the controversial recent game at Terryland Park, being the subject of independent arbitration.

"It's a very costly procedure for the club," said Lawlor yesterday "but we're determined to get fair treatment on this and we haven't got it so far."

Galway, meanwhile, expect to have Ollie Keogh back. Keogh picked up a knock when playing for the reserves because he was cup tied and couldn't play against St Patrick's Athletic but Don O'Riordan is pleased with the progress he has made in training this week.

Fixtures: Drogheda Utd v Athlone Town, Galway United v Limerick (both 7.45).